22 Dec 2009: SEQ: Can the go card sustain the surge?

[ozbob]

Media Release 22 December 2009

SEQ:  Can the go card sustain the surge?

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has again called for urgent support action for the go card (1).   From the 4th January 2010 a new fare structure that has around 40% fare price increases for paper tickets compared to around a 20% increase in go card fares will come into effect (2).  Clearly many users will be using the the go card for the first time.  Many railway stations do not have adequate go card readers (3).  Recent problems with the go card system by members suggest that many go card users will have problems (4). In the absence of a free call number and an online form for the claiming of incorrectly debited fixed fare penalties, go card users are likely to have very frustrating delays in claiming reimbursements as the administrative support is overwhelmed.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The Government and TransLink are committed to the introduction of the go card with the eventual removal of all paper tickets. The issue is then one of having to start using the go card for all commuters.  Presently around 32% of all public transport trips are on the go card, this will start to rise significantly as the fare costs for paper impact in 2010."

"As the number of go card users will surge from January we are very concerned that the system will not be able to properly support a 100% ticketing environment."

"Despite touching off properly recently at a railway station and observing that the reader worked properly the system failed to recognise my touch off and I have been debited with a fixed fare penalty.  Other members have noted anomalous fares being added to their go card accounts (4). Many users probably don't monitor their go card in the same close way that many of our members do. Errors on the go card system appear to be very wide spread."

"There is a broader philosophical question here.  Is it equitable to force people on to a system that is not properly supported for a 100% ticketing environment and if they choose not to take up the go card or are unable to use the go card be hit with a significant financial penalty?  Surely the system should be fixed so that it is attractive to all users.  Carrots are much better than sticks."


References:

1.   27 Nov 2009: SEQ: go card system needs urgent work   http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3060.0

2.   New fare structure   http://www.translink.com.au/fares2010.php

3.   Please indicate rail stations that need more go card readers  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2882.0

4.   My go card trial http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=486.msg18132#msg18132


Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org